2010 MLB Amateur Draft: The Top 10 Hitting Prospects Available

The 2010 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft is just days away, and coming off a year’s worth of hype thanks to Stephen Strasburg, the draft has never been more popular.

While there may not be another Stephen Strasburg available in 2010, there is a promising group of young prospects available, including one young man being billed as the best power prospect to ever enter the draft.

Major League Baseball’s draft still does not hold the same fanfare as the NFL or NBA’s drafts, but it does serve the same function: to determine which clubs the stars of tomorrow will shine for.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 hitting prospects available in Monday’s 2010 MLB Amateur Draft.

10. Austin Wilson: OF, Harvard-Westlake HS, North Hollwood, Calif.

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 200 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Wilson has great tools and a world of potential. His raw power has left scouts drooling, and it is said that he has outstanding work ethic and character—two resources that will certainly help him maximize his potential.

He is still a little raw and needs to work on pitch recognition. However, at just 18 he has plenty of time to develop. He projects as a power-hitting center or right fielder who should produce runs in the middle of the order.

Player Comparison: Wilson is already a big kid. The raw power, size, and character bring to mind Vladimir Guerrero.

8. Nick Castellanos: 3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

6’4”
210 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

A shortstop in high school, Castellanos will have to move to third as a pro to compensate for below average range. He is a big kid who swings the bat well and runs well for his size. The real question is if his power will translate at the next level.

Castellanos has room to grow into his frame. He boasts a ton of upside but will need to develop as a hitter if he wants to make a major splash at the big league level, especially at a power position like third base.

Player Comparison: He has the build and skill set of Ryan Zimmerman, but I don’t think he’ll ever be as good a hitter as Zim.

6. Michael Choice: OF, Texas-Arlington

Choice is yet another prospect that projects as a power-hitting corner outfielder at the big league level. He has huge power to all fields, above-average speed, and plays the outfield pretty well.

There are concerns about Choice’s swing mechanics, and many believe he will need to improve them to succeed at the highest level. The raw potential is there with Choice, but he’ll need to work on his game to put it all together.

Player Comparison: Choice is described as broad and strong. The physical make-up, the decent wheels, and the raw power make me think of Jay Bruce.

5. Yasmani Grandal: C, Miami

College catchers are always a hot commodity at the draft, and Grandal’s excellent junior season at Miami has made him a top-notch prospect at this year’s draft.

Despite posting huge numbers this season, questions about his ability as a hitter surround Grandal. This was his first season putting up big numbers, and his bat speed is seen as below average.

Grandal seems like a solid defensive catcher but doesn’t have the individual tools to be an elite backstop. He is strong and physical with an average but accurate arm.

Player Comparison: He has good power for a catcher, but the slow bat and average defensive skills make it unlikely that he ever develops into a star. Whoever drafts him should be happy if he becomes another Ryan Doumit.

4. Christian Colon: SS, Cal State Fullerton

At the plate, Colon has great mechanics and a fantastic swing. Unfortunately, the results tell a different story. He hasn’t hit much this season, but many believe that his bat will come around.

In the field, he plays a smart but unspectacular shortstop. He likely would develop into an average big league shortstop if he stays at the position.

Colon doesn’t run particularly well, and his power is developing at best, but the game comes easily to him, and he has great fundamentals. He has a high baseball IQ, great instincts, and leadership ability. However, his overall tools do not project out that well.

Player Comparison: There is a lot about Colon to like, but I worry that his upside is more limited than most top-notch prospects. His real long-term value may lie more in his ability to be a clubhouse guy than a star on the field. He could be an Orlando Cabrera type, but without the wheels.

3. Zack Cox: 2B/3B, Arkansas

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Cox has a nice-looking, compact left-handed stroke. His sweet swing and excellent bat speed suggest that he will hit for plenty of average at the big league level. In addition, he projects to develop at least average power.

There is some question about where Cox will play at the next level. He just starting playing second base but seems to be adjusting well to the next position. His speed is average, but he runs the bases well. He plays the game intelligently.

Player Comparison: When the biggest question surrounding a player is if he’ll play second or third, you know there is a lot to like about the kid. I think he stays at second and becomes a Martin Prado type, but with more pop.

2. Manny Machado: SS, Brito Miami HS, Miami, Fla.

Machado has all the tools and looks the part. He is a wow guy—meaning he can do things on the field that leave you saying wow.

He swings the bat very well and is aggressive at the plate. He is big and strong, which suggests that he will develop plus power.

The biggest question about Machado is if he will grow out of the shortstop position. If he keeps growing, he’ll likely have to shift over to the hot corner, but his bat looks so promising that he would still make a strong big league third baseman.

Player Comparison: A stud high school shortstop out of Miami? The comparisons to Alex Rodriguez are unavoidable, but Machado likely won’t develop A-Rod’s pop. Machado will likely have to settle for being another Troy Tulowitzki, which is still pretty darn good.

1. Bryce Harper: C, College of Southern Nevada

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Last season we got the best prospect to ever enter Major League Baseball’s amateur draft. This season we get what most consider to be the best hitting prospect to ever enter Major League Baseball’s amateur draft. Bryce Harper is an absolute stud.

The 17-year-old, who is playing as a junior college freshman, is a physical specimen with all the tools to be an elite hitter at the big league level. He has as much power as anyone to ever enter the draft and looks like a lock to hit for average at the big league level as well.

He probably could, but may not, stay at the catcher position. He could be an above average big league catcher, but a move to third base or right field is a possibility. No matter where he plays, Harper is very likely to develop into a superstar at the big league level.

Player Comparison: No one at the catcher position really seems like a good fit for Harper. He has more pop, but not the raw hitting ability of Joe Mauer. Position aside, I would say he develops into another Evan Longoria, but maybe with even more pop.